Published in The Journal, September 16, 2025, By Toni Milbourne
MARTINSBURG — Thirty years ago, a group of determined community leaders gathered around a simple but powerful idea: if people worked together to build an endowment for their region, they could strengthen their communities not just for today, but for generations to come.
From those humble beginnings in 1995, the Eastern West Virginia Community Foundation (EWVCF) was born. This year, the Foundation is celebrating three decades of impact, with plans to honor its past and highlight its future throughout the coming year.
“It’s awesome that anyone can participate in a community foundation,” said Elaine Bobo, Donor Relations and Communications Director for the organization. “A gift will honor someone’s legacy and help the community at the same time.”
From One Scholarship to Hundreds of Funds
The Foundation started with one donor which has evolved into so many more, offering hundreds in funds. The very first fund came from George Hancock, who endowed $100,000 in memory of his wife, Holly Woods Hancock. That single act of generosity launched what would become a regional force for philanthropy.
At the time, the Foundation focused on Jefferson, Berkeley, and Morgan counties. In the years since, it has expanded to serve Hampshire and Hardy counties as well, building an impressive portfolio of nearly 400 funds with more than $60 million in assets.
The impact has been substantial as more than $16 million in grants and scholarships have been awarded across the five-county area. Each year, EWVCF awards 150 scholarships to more than 115 students, invests in community projects and supports initiatives ranging from veterans’ programs to mini-grants for teachers.
What started with one scholarship has grown into a pipeline of opportunity for hundreds of local students.
“We began with the George Hancock Scholarship, then added one at a time,” said current president Jen Rolston. “Today we’re able to invest in the lives of young people and support causes that strengthen the entire region.”
Local Affiliates Expand the Mission
Two affiliates further extend the Foundation’s reach: the Hampshire County Community Foundation and the Hardy County Community Foundation.
Since its establishment, the Hampshire County Community Foundation has awarded nearly $258,121 in grants. Its 13 component funds support a wide variety of causes—from volunteer EMS services and youth health programs to student scholarships, mentoring initiatives, substance abuse prevention, and local food and nutrition efforts.
The Hardy County Community Foundation, created in 2007, has awarded over $324,634 in grants. Its 12 component funds provide long-term support for organizations such as the Hardy County Public Library and J. Allen Hawkins Park, as well as scholarships, teacher grants, and community programs focused on wellness, prevention, and nutrition.
Together, these affiliates embody the Foundation’s philosophy: gathering resources locally and ensuring that funds are reinvested directly into the communities that need them most.
Wide Variety of Competitive Grants
In addition to its endowed funds and affiliate foundations, EWVCF supports nonprofits through a series of competitive grant cycles. Each winter and spring, the Foundation awards grants in areas such as healthcare, human welfare, housing, senior citizen support, animal welfare and historic cemetery preservation.
Youth and education grants are awarded later in the year, with applications accepted in the fall. Eligible applicants include nonprofit 501©(3) organizations, religious institutions, schools and government agencies serving the Eastern Panhandle. This competitive process ensures that resources are directed to high-impact projects meeting immediate community needs.
Weathering Challenges, Growing Stronger
The Foundation’s history reflects both resilience and growth. In its earliest years, minutes were typed on an old IBM Selectric typewriter in the back office of Roach Oil, with volunteers doing everything from bookkeeping to donor outreach. By 2005, the Foundation had moved into its current office at Caperton Station in Martinsburg and began adding staff to manage expanding responsibilities.
When the recession hit in 2008, EWVCF, then holding $7 million in assets, faced the same financial strain as households and businesses. Grants were cut back, and donors made “pass-through” gifts to ensure scholarships and grants continued. By 2010, investments had rebounded, and new gifts, including a remarkable $5.9 million donation from Powerball winner and former Berkeley County Sheriff W. Randy Smith, helped stabilize and expand the Foundation’s work.
Over the past decade, the organization has continued to grow, navigating the Covid-19 pandemic by establishing an emergency response fund that provided nearly $350,000 to local nonprofits. In recent years, new funds and strong investment performance have pushed the endowment to record levels, ensuring long-term sustainability.
Partners in Philanthropy
The Foundation’s strength has always been rooted in collaboration. Its Partners in Philanthropy program brings in nearly $25,000 annually from local businesses and sponsors. These contributions support events such as the Scholars and Donors Reception, the Mini-Grants to Teachers Celebration and the Nonprofit Leaders Luncheon. They also provide challenge grants that strengthen Community Impact Funds in Jefferson, Berkeley and Morgan counties.
“The spirit of collaboration makes this such a good network to be a part of,” noted board member Susan Caperton, who now serves as the Foundation’s executive director.
A Small Staff, a Legacy for Thousands
Though its staff is small, the Foundation’s reach is vast. Unlike many nonprofits, EWVCF does not hold fundraisers. Instead, it focuses on building endowments, working with donors, families and financial planners to create lasting legacies.
“Educating people about how they can set up or fund legacies is a big part of what we do,” Rolston explained. “Not everyone wants to create their own foundation, but they can still make a difference by working with us.”
That difference can be seen in the classroom grants that provide teachers with new tools, in scholarships that open doors to higher education, and in grants to local nonprofits addressing urgent needs. It is also seen in the partnerships EWVCF forges with other organizations, such as the United Way, to identify and address gaps in services.
Looking Ahead
As the Eastern West Virginia Community Foundation marks its 30th anniversary, leaders say they remain focused on the same mission that inspired its founding: gathering resources, growing endowments, and granting funds back into the community.
“We’re celebrating 30 years of shared success,” Rolston said. “But more importantly, we’re celebrating what’s still to come. This is about investing in the future of our region, together.”
Throughout the next 12 months, the Foundation will highlight stories of impact, honor its donors and partners and invite more community members to join in creating legacies that last forever.